|
Spinal Cord Injury Research & Education
Research and education was a driving force in the creation of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) in 1946, and it has continued to be a key emphasis for more than 60 years. PVA has funded more than $41 million in grants for spinal cord injury and diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrigs.
Our mission is to:
- Promote research to find better treatments and cures for paralysis;
- Support efforts to improve the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord dysfunction until treatments are found;
- Educate consumers about the consequences of spinal cord dysfunction and the prevention of secondary complications;
- Improve the knowledge and skills of health-care professionals who serve people with spinal cord dysfunction; and,
- Prevent new injuries.
PVA Research Foundation
While finding a cure for SCI is paramount, the PVA Research Foundation also supports grants designed to improve the current treatment and care for acute and chronic spinal cord dysfunction, develop innovative rehabilitative therapies for multiple sclerosis, fund the creation of assistive devices for people with paralysis, and train talented researchers to focus on the problem of spinal cord dysfunction.
Some areas of focus include:
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is the application of electrical currents that generate activity in the nervous system. For some individuals with paralysis, FES can produce and control the ability to stand or grasp, facilitate natural recovery, and even accelerate motor relearning.
- New drug and physical therapies that can help alleviate the debilitating pain that is often associated with spinal cord injury & diseases.
- Taking spinal cord research to the next level including learning more about how to prevent nerve cell death and to repair damage to the spinal cord.
PVA Education Foundation
The PVA Education Foundation funds projects to develop practical tools -- such as booklets, videos, CD's, and conferences that educate healthcare professionals and the public about various aspects of living with a spinal cord injury or disease. Topics have included pregnancy and delivery in women with SCI, fatigue management in MS, weight management, and a study on factors that lead to successful coping with spinal cord dysfunction.
Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine
Another PVA initiative is the Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine, which publishes evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and companion consumer guides on SCI care. Past topics include pressure ulcers, bowel care, autonomic dysreflexia, and depression. Topics now under development include preservation of upper limb function, bladder management, and respiratory management.
How you can give back to America's spinal cord injured veterans? Support PVA Today!
Click here to help PVA continue this critical life-changing research, as well as the educational programs and additional veteran benefits that improve the quality of life for all those living with spinal cord injury. |
